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Video: Neiman Marcus’ holiday fantasy gifts unveiled

Closed captioning of: Neiman Marcus’ holiday fantasy gifts unveiled

>>>it is not even halloween yet, but it's already beginning to look a lot like christmas here on
rockefeller plaza
, that's because
neiman marcus
is out with their book of fantasy gifts, their christmas book of fantasy gifts. and by the way, it's the
50th anniversary
of the famous his and hers gifts. ginger, good to see you.

>>thank you.

>>what is the greatest fantasy gift you have ever come up with, and what was the biggest bomb?

>>the
big e
bomb might have been the
cowboy boots
that had golf spikes on them.

>>50th anniversary
of the his and hers gifts.

>>we have a beautiful bracelet with charms on it. there's a his version of that too?

>>no, the his --

>>how much is that? $248,000.

>>oh, my gosh. it's a fantasy, jeff.

>>this woman says i'm liking this. that would be great.

>>and for the musicians in the family, you have something else here.

>>the ukulele has come back in popularity, so we said let's have the ukulele that made
george harrison
's ukulele. he said i want to make a ukulele out of a gourd. they took a gourd, hollowed it out.

>>so this comes from the same gourd?

>>yes, you don't believe that.

>>how long does it take you to make one of those.

>>it just depends, getting older, but they use gourds, so it's been used for a long time. and
george harrison
really got me into ukuleles. so i made guilty tars for 35 year years for different people.

>>it's a very, very trendy instrument, they're beautiful. thank you very much.

>>now if you play the ukulele poorly, like i would, you want too banish yourself to this next gift.

>>had to bring a model. this is $250,000. i love the romantic idea of living on a houseboat. this has translucent walls, a 7-foot ceiling. it like a modern loft.

>>it does, it looks like a new york apartment.

>>it's got a couple of engines, so you can move it around, it doesn't have to sit in one place.

>>it has special engines so you can move it around.

>>if you want to move around and not spend this kind of money, you want to --

>>we certainly do. this is a bicycle that's been made in new york since the late 1800st.

>>and there's a couple of back seat drivers. this is $3,500.

>>every holiday has to have a
ginger bread
house.

>>i said what have you always wanted to do and you have never done? a playhouse made out of
ginger bread
. you can have a gum ball if you like. if i can get one off.

>>how long ago was this made?

>>it's edible or you can shellac it and use it as a decoration next year.

>>what was the price again?

>>$15,000.

>>shall we introduce a new gentleman here?

>>gerald barnes
.

>>happy holidays to you.

>>everybody loves
the
limited edition
car.

>>this is the new chevrolet convertible, new triple layer paint job, this can do
0 to 60
in under five.

>>how quickly do you believe the supply is going to go?

>>there's 100 and the supply will go in a snap.

>>do you have a price on this?

>>no.

>>$75,000.

>>that's beautiful. you get to drive this home.

>>i wish. i wish.

>>it's nice, thank you very much. by the way, the iphone app that you got from
neiman marcus
, this is pretty cool.

>>this features a new gift every single day and it features a whole host of features from our website.

>>so you shake it, and it comes up with a variety tiff of gifts.

>>you just shake it again and again and you keep get another surprise gift.

>>nice to have you here.

>>we have ginger over here with a few more things.

>>i have got something, these are some ornaments and i'm harkening back to the chinese gifts. $48 and $5 from the sale benefits
big brothers
and
big sisters
. now if you need a snack, chocolate covered
potato chips
.

>>are these edible?

>>they have not been shellacked, you can get a set of three if you like.

>>let's talk about those
cowboy boots
with the golf spikes. no, these are good. they're good zbchlt we have got sparkled eye pass, covers, i lost my son so i wished i could have found something dazzling, luggage tags, all sorts of things.

>>and one more item. how about ugs for your ears. you need these on these brisk mornings coming up, $75 including the corrado.

>>we have got much more coming up this morning and we'll tell you all about it.

DALLAS — For those looking to splurge a bit this holiday season, luxury retailer Neiman Marcus unveiled its annual Christmas Book on Tuesday with gifts including a $15,000 edible gingerbread playhouse and a $125,000 private party organized by celebrity event planner Colin Cowie.

The annual catalog, known for expensive and often outrageous items, was revealed at Neiman Marcus' downtown Dallas store, where some of the offerings were on display. Cowie even stood in a store window drinking tequila with two models to preview the party he'll throw.

Neiman Marcus is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its "his and hers" gifts like a $250,000 houseboat for two. Over the decades, the series has included everything from airplanes to camels, and die-hard fans might like a $248,000 bracelet of diamond and gold charms representing past "his and hers" gifts.

Other items in the Christmas Book's 84th edition: A $4,500 adult-size tricycle for three with seat and canopy fabrics by Tory Burch and a $1.5 million glass creation from artist Dale Chihuly for the bottom of a swimming pool. Danny Ferrington, who has made instruments for rock stars George Harrison and Keith Richards, is offering ukuleles made from gourds for $6,000.

With continuing respect for those on smaller budgets, Neiman has priced about half the of the catalog's offerings under $250, as it did in 2009, said Ginger Reeder, vice president of public relations for Neiman Marcus.

That includes tweezers adorned with crystals for $100 or a scented candle for $95.

Reeder said the extravagant offerings not only satisfy a tradition but offer a bit of fantasy, even to those who can't afford them. It's fun, she said, to think about which 75 people you'd invite to Cowie's party featuring cocktails with Tequila Avion mixed by Yusef Austin, dinner by chef Todd English and music by disc jockey Donna d'Cruz.

"I do think if there's ever a time of year to fantasize about 'What in the world would I do if I won the lottery,' this is it. That's part of our tradition," Reeder said. "If you want something, you can get it at Neiman Marcus. If you want a houseboat for two that you can escape on, you can get it at Neiman Marcus. Or you can dream about it from Neiman Marcus."

For those who want power in their gifts, there's a Neiman Marcus edition Chevrolet Camaro convertible with an interior of amber leather with red accents for $75,000.

If personal attention is your thing, $9,500 buys the services of a concierge in the arty outpost of Marfa, Texas, who will create a four-night vacation for two. Need a camera to take along? A Neiman Marcus edition Leica M9 with ostrich leather trim and a matching strap goes for $17,500.

Stepping away from the festivities in the store window, Cowie said his party will be easy to host: "All you have to do is invite the guests. We'll show up as a team and give you this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

World’s wildest Christmas gifts

Tough times? Tight holiday budgets? Maybe for many, but Neiman Marcus continues to offer the height of extravagance in its 2010 Christmas Book, which lists gifts costing as much as $1.5 million. Yet even though the catalog has been around for 84 years, it's keeping up with the times: This year customers can access and order gifts using a new iPad application.
50th anniversary His & Hers charm bracelet
This year marks the 50th anniversary of His & Hers gifts in the Christmas Book, and Neiman Marcus is marking the occasion with this one-of-a-kind bracelet whose diamond and gold charms have been crafted into the shape of 11 His & Hers gifts from past years, including a windmill, an airplane, a hot-air balloon and a Chinese junk. Price: $248,000
(Neiman Marcus)
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Customized Marfa, Texas, experience

The little West Texas town of Marfa -- population 2,121 -- has become a mecca for art, architecture and nature. This gift offers three days and four nights of immersion in Marfa, crafted for two by a personal concierge. Event alternatives include private art tours, a glider trip above the desert, an observatory visit, a park excursion, and a private party to meet local artists, along with gourmet meals, luxury accommodations and a set of prints from a Marfa artist-in-residence. Price starts at $9,500 per couple (not including transportation).
(Neiman Marcus)
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Dale Chihuly pool installation

This gift offers a privately commissioned art installation by renowned glass sculptor Dale Chihuly measuring up to 22 by 12 feet -- at the bottom of your swimming pool. The recipient will also be able to work with the artist’s studio to get a rare inside look at Chihuly’s creative process. Price: $1.5 million
(Neiman Marcus)
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Handmade gourd ukulele

For this gift, guitar maker Danny Ferrington -- who has been hand-making instruments for the likes of George Harrison, Keith Richards, and Chrissie Hynde since 1975 -- will create classic four-string concert ukuleles, using split gourds as the bodies. Ferrington will build each ukulele from scratch, with hand-selected woods for acoustics and balance and rich mother-of-pearl inlays. Price $6,000
(Neiman Marcus)
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Leica M9-NM camera

Limited to a worldwide edition of 50, the Leica M9 Neiman Marcus edition is the world's only digital rangefinder camera, with interchangeable lenses and a full-frame 18-megapixel sensor. The body is covered in ostrich leather trim, with matching strap; the LCD screen is covered by sapphire glass. Price: $17,5000
(Neiman Marcus)
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Private party by Colin Cowie

A-list event planner Colin Cowie will craft a party in your home for up to 75 guests, featuring Tequila Avion cocktails from mixologist Yusef Austin, gourmet food prepared by chef Todd English, and music mixed by celebrity DJ Donna d'Cruz. As a keepsake, they will all sign a bottle of Tequila Avion. Price: $125,000
(Neiman Marcus)
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2011 Neiman Marcus edition Camaro

Limited to an edition of 100, this 2SS model Camaro convertible has a 6.2-liter V8 engine and the purchaser’s choice of a 426-horsepower six-speed manual or 400-horsepower six-speed automatic transmission. Other features include tri-coat exterior paint, convertible top highlighted with a silver painted windshield, and leather interior with red accent. Price: $75,000
(Neiman Marcus)
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Tory Burch trike

This family chariot for three is hand-built by Worksman Cycles and designed by fashion creator Tory Burch. In the back, two passengers can ride on plush bucket seats with swivel armrests, seat belts, a footboard, and a retractable canopy top. And if the driver tires of pedaling, a flip of a switch activates a clean-energy electric drive system. Price: $4,500
(Neiman Marcus)
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A holiday tradition

The Christmas Book has been a holiday tradition with Dallas-based luxury retailer Neiman Marcus for 84 years, offering whimsical, one-of-a-kind gifts at often eye-popping prices. This year's edition marks the 50th anniversary of the catalog's famed His & Hers fantasy gifts.
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Editor's note:
This image contains graphic content that some viewers may find disturbing.